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Mikel Arteta breaks silence on Thomas Partey’s future at Arsenal

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed plans to discuss the future of midfielder Thomas Partey, acknowledging the Ghanaian international’s vital role in the team.

At 31, Partey has seen a resurgence this season, logging 799 Premier League minutes more than he did in the entire 2023/24 campaign.

Since joining Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for £45 million, Partey has made 13 appearances this season, scoring once and starting 12 matches.

Despite facing some criticism, Arteta praised Partey’s recent form and adaptability, especially as his contract nears expiration next summer.

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“The one thing we needed was Thomas to be at the level we wanted,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.

“He’s working hard and playing really well in different positions, adapting to various demands, and he’s coping excellently. He’s a big player for us,” Arteta said, adding, “He’s in a really good place, and we’ll have these discussions [about his future with Arsenal].”

While Arsenal initially planned to let Partey finish his contract without an extension, his recent performances could lead to a reconsideration.

Partey has also been linked with clubs like Barcelona and Juventus, but his experience may be crucial for the squad’s depth in the 2025/26 season.

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Source: ghanasoccernet.com

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Three reasons Victor Osimhen will not join Galatasaray permanently despite interest

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Galatasaray are reportedly plotting a permanent move for Victor Osimhen after the striker impressed early since joining the Turkish champions on a season-long loan from Napoli.

Osimhen settled in quickly at the RAMS Park, scoring four goals and contributing another four assists in nine games, including the winning goal against Besiktas.

According to Turkish outlet Sozcu, Gala are prepared to break their transfer record and offer a €50 million bid to Napoli to sign the Nigerian permanently.

Team Talk debunked the news reporting that the club’s sources claimed it is “fake news” with zero chance of happening despite him being a fan favourite already.

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Let’s look at three reasons Osimhen can’t join Galatasaray.

1. Premier League dream

Premier League side Chelsea attempted to sign the Super Eagles star until the final moments of the summer transfer window when the deal was off after failure to reach an agreement on personal terms. The Blues reportedly retain their interest, with Arsenal also monitoring the situation.

Osimhen is said to dream of playing on the top flight of English football. He will turn 26 in December, and his best time to fulfil the dream is to get a move in January or, at the latest, next summer.

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2. Galatasaray and Napoli are apart in fee

Osimhen had a release clause of £113 million inserted into the new Napoli contract he signed in the summer of 2023, a figure which eventually proved to be a stumbling block to his desired move last summer, with interest clubs unwilling to pay.

He extended his contract by a year before joining Galatasaray on loan, and a new release clause of €75 million was inserted, but the Turkish champions will reportedly offer a third of that, which is sure to be dismissed by the Neapolitans.

3. Salary demands

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Osimhen’s current salary at Napoli is reportedly €12.82mil per year or €246,538 per week, while the Turkish club announced to the public that they would pay the former Lille striker €115,000 per week, way below his current grade. It is unclear if the Lions will raise their offer.

The Nigerian has a more lucrative salary offer of over €500,000 per week in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Ahli possibly returning for him in the summer.

Source: www.legit.ng

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FG Panel Indicts AFN In Ofili’s Paris Olympics Omission

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An investigative committee set up by the Federal Government has stated that the inactions of some officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria were responsible for Favour Ofili’s non-registration for the women’s 100-meter race at the Paris Olympics.

The PUNCH reports that Nigeria failed to win any medals at the end of the 2024 Paris Olympics, held between the 26th of July, and the 11th of August, 2024.

Added to the failure to secure any medals were the controversies, including the exclusion of Ofili from the Women’s 100m race, and the revelation by Ese Ukpeseraye that she had to borrow a track bike from the German team to compete.

In its report made available to journalists on Monday, the Committee Chairman, Mumini Alao, stated that the omission of Ofili’s name was traceable to the following organisations: the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, World Athletics, and the International Olympic Committee.

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The committee also mentioned that the Secretary General of the AFN, Rita Mosindi, was “Negligent in her duty of communicating to the Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigeria Olympic Committee information about Ofili’s event status in a reliable and timely manner.”

The committee also faulted Samuel Onikeku, AFN Technical Director, who it said demonstrated “poor judgment” by failing to act on a “hint” of Ofili’s non-registration for the 100m event, adding that the situation may have been saved had Onikeku reported or acted on the information.

The report recommended that the officials be penalised by appropriate authorities and that the AFN should pay the sum of N8 million to Ofili for “the disappointment and depression that she suffered on account of her omission”.

In the case of Ese Ukpeseraye, the Committee asked the athlete to write a formal apology to the Nigerian Cycling Federation, and the Nigerian contingent for the embarrassment caused on account of her X (formerly Twitter) post which stated she had to borrow a track bike.

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“The cyclist, Ese Ukpeseraye, should write a formal apology to the Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF) for the embarrassment that she caused the Federation and the Nigerian contingent to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on account of the unauthorised post that she made on social media, X (formerly Twitter) about the bicycle that she used for the Cycling track event at the Olympics”, the post read.

The committee had submitted its report to the defunct Ministry of Sports Development on October 22, a day before President Tinubu scrapped the Ministry, transferring its functions and responsibilities to the National Sports Commission, chaired by Shehu Dikko.

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NPFL: Musa scores for Kano Pillars, Rivers United falter

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Ahmed Musa scored the winning goal as Kano Pillars rallied to beat Plateau United 2-1 on Sunday.

Plateau United took the lead through Gafar Saka on 66 minutes.

Rabiu Ali equalised for Pillars 13 minutes from time, while Musa fired home the winning goal in stoppage time

In Lagos, Rivers United lost for the first time in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season, going down to a 2-0 defeat against Ikorodu City.

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Ayomide Cole gave Ikorodu City the lead three minutes after the break.

Rivio Ayemnwere doubled the advantage eight minutes later.

Elsewhere, holders Rangers claimed a 2-0 win over Nasarawa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Last season’s top scorer, Godwin Obaje, scored both goals for the Flying Antelopes.

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FULL RESULTS

Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa Utd

Kano Pillars 1-0 Plateau Utd

Sunshine Stars 1-2 Insurance

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Abia Warriors 0-1 Heartland

Bayelsa Utd 1-1 Enyimba

Ikorodu City 2-0 Rivers Utd

Tornadoes 1-0 3SC

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Akwa Utd 2-1 Kwara Utd

Remo Stars 1-0 Lobi

FT El-Kanemi 1-0 Katsina Utd

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